Atlas.ti v.5 - Start project and import documents

Preparing the Data for Introduction into the Project

There are some guidelines to bear in mind when using Atlas.ti. The program will accept files in plain text format, it will accept rich text format and work better with such files. RTF and plain text.

In addition, in Atlas.ti, paragraphs can be grouped. The end of a group of paragraphs is indicated by two consecutive carriage returns. This is important if you want to use the autocode features where it is possible to select a paragraph group as the quotation to be linked to the code. For example, in an interview with a respondent you might put two carriage returns at the end of each respondent response and use single returns elsewhere.

New Project/Hermeneutic Unit

When you start your program for the first time, you will be asked if you want to use an existing project (called a hermeneutic unit in Atlas.ti) or create a new one. (You may also have the option to open a tutorial file at this point.)

To create a new hermeneutic unit

click the program to start it, then: The Welcome dialog appears.

click Create a new Hermeneutic Unit.

In the dialog, give your HU a name.

click OK. The main Atlas.ti workbench window opens. This stays open and gives access through buttons and menus to the functions of Atlas.ti. See Figure 1.

When you have finished, click the Text Edit button () or click Edit:Document Access:Leave Edit Mode.

Figure 4. Atlas.ti Text Edit tools

Make a report on a document

If you want to have a backup copy on your hard disk of a document in the project (e.g. if you have edited it in the program) or want to do some coding away from the computer and need a hard copy, then you will need to produce a report of the document which can be printed.

To display a document in the Primary document area.

clickDocument:Output and select Print with margin. click Print.

Other options that can be selected are List, Hierarchy and Quotations.

Select an output option. See Figure 5.

Select where you want the report in the Send Output to: dialog, click OK. See Figure 6.